The damage Hurricane Maria caused on the island of Puerto Rico appears to keep metastasizing, as the crime rate in the months after the story continues to rise.

“Puerto Rico’s homicide rate is roughly 20 killings per 100,000 residents, compared with 3.7 per 100,000 residents on the U.S. mainland. In the last two years, Puerto Rico has seen an average of 56 homicides a month, a rate that held through December. Then after New Year’s, the killings started accelerating.”-Time

In just the first two weeks or so of 2018, over 30 people have been killed on the island, calling for federally elected officials to urge the Department of Justice to “send additional resources” to the island to help protect Americans.

Florida Senators Marco Rubio (R) and Bill Nelson (D) have come together to make the call to action for more law enforcement help.

Violent crime in Puerto Rico has increased in the wake of Hurricane Maria. I am urging the Department of Justice to send additional resources to help ensure the safety of Americans in Puerto Rico. https://t.co/nOffezMLou

Violent crime in Puerto Rico is on the rise as nearly 1/3 of the island remains without power. Sen. Rubio and I have asked DOJ to send any additional law enforcement resources necessary to help protect the people of Puerto Rico as they continue to recover. https://t.co/NRTRHVJgFH

Javier Manjarres is a nationally renowned award-winning South Florida-based political journalist who publishes the Floridianpress.com, Hispolitica.com, CactusPolitics.com, JudicialPost.com, and Shark-Tank.com. During the 2018 election cycle, he ran in the Republican primary race for congress in Florida’s 22nd congressional district. He enjoys soccer, mixed martial arts, weight-lifting, swimming and biking.
Email him at [email protected]
Javier is also a political consultant, and has also authored "BROWN PEOPLE," which is a book about Hispanic Politics. Learn more at www.brownpeople.org